Tracking the Spotted Shadows of the Marico Biosphere

Deep in the wild heart of the Marico Biosphere Reserve, a new conservation journey has begun. We are Committed to conservation, guiding this work with careful planning. This effort involves collaboration with communities and science-based strategies that protect habitats and wildlife.

The effort follows the elusive footsteps of the leopard, our region’s most iconic and mysterious predator. It symbolizes a renewed focus on habitat protection, anti-poaching, and community outreach. By aligning local knowledge with research, we aim to sustain populations and ecosystems for years to come.

Throughout this work, communities stay engaged and habitats are stewarded, underscoring that we are Committed to conservation. Field teams monitor habitats and leopard activity, sharing findings with partners and local guardians. Together we build evidence for habitat protection and coexistence.

In 2025, a long-term project was launched to assess the leopards’ population status across the biosphere. This effort shows we are Committed to conservation by clarifying how many leopards inhabit our landscapes. The project covers diverse habitats across continents and engages local partners.

The study also tracks how leopard numbers change over time. Its findings illuminate the health of our ecosystems. By sharing methods and results, the team aims to accelerate conservation actions globally. Committed to conservation, better data lead to smarter decisions that protect leopards and their habitats.

The leopard is a symbol of wilderness in a changing world. It is also a sentinel species, revealing the balance and well-being of its environment. Yet, these cats inspire awe. They can conflict with people when they prey on livestock. Reliable data helps authorities make fair decisions about permits and conflict management. It also informs conservation priorities. This work shows Committed to conservation.

To find out how many leopards share our home, the project uses camera traps—nature’s own selfie booths. Each leopard’s unique pattern of spots lets scientists identify individuals and estimate population density through advanced analysis.

Baseline survey and monitoring

The 2025 survey serves as a baseline study. It is the first step in an annual monitoring effort that will track population trends for years to come.

The project is led by Mr. John Power from the Conservation authorities. He will work in our area as he ventures out to pre-selected sites throughout the Biosphere.

We’re proud to be collaborating on this important initiative, contributing to the conservation of one of Africa’s most captivating creatures and the ecosystems that sustain them.

Stay tuned as we share updates, photos, and stories from the field. We will celebrate the wild spirit of the Marico Biosphere.

Stories from the Wild

Conservation at Red Cliff is not something that happens behind closed gates…

Hidden among the valleys and river corridors of the Marico, leopards move largely unseen. The first scientific leopard population survey of the Marico Biosphere Reserve is now providing an important baseline for understanding these elusive cats.